By Nitya Chakraborty Is the Prime Minister Narendra Modi retracting from his commitment to the SCO declaration issued on September 1 and the BRICS statement of July 6 this year to send some sort of signals to US President Donald Trump about restoring reciprocity in the India-US relations? The question is very relevant as one […]
Schneider Electric has declared its newly inaugurated Dubai office, The NEST, carbon neutral just three months after opening, marking a bold leap in sustainable workplace design and operational innovation.
The NEST, spanning over 10,000 sqm and accommodating more than 1,000 staff, forms the vanguard of the company’s global Impact Buildings Program. Within this smart facility—now carbon-neutral in three months—EcoStruxure™ technologies interlock digital energy management, automation, and operational analytics to deliver exceptional environmental and user performance.
The building reduces energy consumption by 37 percent relative to Schneider Electric’s previous Dubai location, yielding annual cuts of approximately 572 metric tons of CO₂—equivalent to the yearly electricity usage of some 77 homes.
In recognition of its digital and sustainable credentials, The NEST earned a perfect WiredScore SmartScore Platinum rating, with top marks in user functionality, technological foundation, and innovation. It stands poised to achieve LEED ID+C Platinum and WELL Equity certifications.
Designed around four guiding principles—sustainability, resilience, efficiency, and a people-centric ethos—the facility integrates a micro-grid, digital twin systems, AI-driven HVAC and occupancy analytics, a cybersecure edge data centre, and abundant daylighting and indoor air-quality features.
The NEST also houses Dubai’s first Schneider Electric Global Innovation Hub and a dedicated Training Centre to upskill regional professionals and youth in clean energy and smart building solutions.
“This building exemplifies how digitisation and electrification can uplift sustainability in the built environment,” said the company’s Zone President for the Middle East and Africa, underscoring how The NEST is more than a building… it is a living example of smart infrastructure in action.
The achievement reflects alignment with broader national ambitions such as the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing The NEST’s status as a blueprint for high-performance, low-carbon commercial environments.
Plans are in motion to expand the Impact Buildings Program globally—encompassing new constructions and retrofitting existing facilities over the next 18 months—to replicate the model of adaptive, people-centred, low-carbon buildings across Schneider Electric’s commercial real estate portfolio.
ORDOS, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 September 2025 – From September 16 to 17, 2025, the 10th Kubuqi International Desert Forum will convene in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Recently, reporters visited the Kubuqi Desert to investigate desertification control measures. Seen from the air, 196,000 solar panels stretch across the Kubuqi Desert in a striking horse-shaped mosaic, while on the ground, visitors to Chaideng Village, […]
The United States and European Union are ramping up economic pressure, yet sceptics say even tougher measures may fail to push Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signalled that imposing secondary tariffs on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil—coupled with coordinated sanctions—could trigger a collapse in Russia’s economy and potentially compel the president to consider diplomacy. Sanctions fall short in forcing Putin […]
Egypt and Sudan insist that discussions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam must remain confined to the three riparian countries—rejecting calls to broaden the talks to include other Nile Basin nations. The two have signalled mounting concern over Ethiopia’s unilateral conduct, describing the situation as a “continuous threat to stability in the Eastern Nile Basin.” They warned that Ethiopia’s steps to fill and operate the dam could […]
European regulators have slapped Google with a €2.95 billion fine for leveraging its dominance in ad-tech to favour its own services, while President Trump has launched warnings of retaliatory trade measures—even as the €2.95 billion ad-tech sanction on Google marks the latest escalation in transatlantic friction. The European Commission’s investigation, which began in mid-2021, concluded that Google distorted competition across the 27-member bloc by prioritising its AdX […]
European leaders face mounting urgency to address critical deficiencies in their defence structures as uncertainty surrounds the reliability of U. S. backing. Many capitals hold onto hope that Donald Trump will honour his pledged security guarantees for Ukraine, even though concrete commitments remain vague. Europe’s Defence Gaps Expose Growing Reliance on U. S. Support captures the mounting tension between Europe’s persistent reliance and its growing intent to […]
The integration embeds Ripple Payments into Thunes’s Direct Global Network, spanning 130 + countries and over 80 currencies. This union leverages Ripple’s global payout infrastructure—serving 90 + markets and covering more than 90 % of daily FX flows, with over US $70 billion processed—bringing real-time, cost-efficient, and transparent transactions to Thunes’s vast network.
Chloe Mayenobe, President and COO of Thunes, emphasised that the partnership bridges traditional finance and digital assets, enabling seamless, compliant cross-border payments at scale. She stressed the importance of real-time settlement and robust local integrations in scaling financial access globally. Fiona Murray, Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Ripple, underscored how combining Thunes’s payment reach with Ripple’s digital asset infrastructure enhances speed, accessibility, and compliance.
This move extends Thunes’s capability to deliver payouts in local currencies in regions with limited banking access, particularly through its SmartX Treasury System. Ripple Payments is now integrated into SmartX, bolstering liquidity management and last-mile delivery in underbanked markets.
Analysis from BeInCrypto notes that this alignment enables faster settlement and improved compliance, especially where mobile wallets like GCash, M-Pesa, and WeChat Pay dominate. For enterprises, the collaboration promises efficient global transfers with lower friction. Crowdfund Insider adds that the partnership broadens payout reach while streamlining money movement across key markets.
Electronic Payments International confirms the integration into SmartX, reinforcing Thunes’s treasury capabilities and enhancing its services. CryptoBriefing highlights the joint effort to improve speed, transparency and compliance across Thunes’s global network by incorporating Ripple Payments.
This development reflects an industry shift: traditional payment networks increasingly adopt blockchain infrastructure to reduce costs and boost efficiency. Thunes, with its “Smart Superhighway” platform covering billions of mobile wallets, bank accounts, and cards, stands well-positioned to harness Ripple’s tools for expanding financial inclusion.
Thunes, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Singapore, already partners with PayPal, Uber, Grab, Paytm, and others, serving a global footprint that includes more than 3 billion accounts across 130 countries. The integration with Ripple strengthens its proposition to these and other clients seeking faster, more transparent cross-border transfers.
du has unveiled its Envision 2025 agenda, signalling a decisive push towards an AI-first future. The event is scheduled for 9 September 2025 at Atlantis, The Royal, and is designed to mobilise public and private sector leaders around AI-enabled smart communities and sovereign digital innovation.
The Envision 2025 blueprint brings together a distinguished roster of sponsors and partners. Oracle is confirmed as Host Sponsor, contributing expertise in cloud and sovereign AI capabilities. Cisco, as Platinum Partner, reinforces commitments to digital advancement. Gold Partners include HPE, Huawei, Akamai Technologies and CyberKnight, while Silver Partners—Dell Technologies, Fortinet, Accenture, Hexaware and Palo Alto Networks—support AI and cybersecurity resilience. Equinix and Joy Smart Technologies join as Bronze Partners, emphasising a collaborative approach to transformation. du charts AI-first future with Envision 2025 echoes this collaborative vision, emphasising alignment between leadership and technological innovation.
The threefold Envision platform will host both an exhibition and a conference, spotlighting cutting-edge domains: AI Data Centres, Sovereign Cloud, Generative and Agentic AI, GPU-as-a-Service, Industry 4.0, Advanced Robotics, and Cloud Computing. It seeks to provoke strategic alliances and stimulate discourse aligned with the UAE’s National AI Strategy and National Digital Government Strategy 2025.
Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer of du, underscored the alignment with national vision, referencing the leadership of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who asserted that “future is not something we wait for, but something we make.” Al Hassawi emphasised that converging leadership with advanced technology will underpin the creation of a scalable, secure, and AI-first UAE.
Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer at du, described Envision 2025 as more than a technology event—but as a national platform uniting future shapers to align vision, innovation and execution. He stressed that the collaborators are vital to delivering secure, scalable, sovereign digital solutions that enhance smart communities, economic growth and quality of life.
Miguel Vega, Senior Vice President for Database Platform & Cloud Infrastructure at Oracle for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, said Oracle’s participation will centre on advancing sovereign AI and cloud functions, aiming to help public and private sectors unlock greater levels of innovation, security and efficiency.
A protocol on phytosanitary standards agreed upon during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Beijing has unlocked the possibility of Zimbabwe exporting blueberries to China, the Horticultural Development Council has announced. This agreement offers local growers access to one of the world’s fastest-growing blueberry markets, although actual export volumes will depend on their ability to meet stringent sanitary conditions and manage compliance-related costs. Zimbabwe’s blueberry production is set […]
A high-level delegation from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, led by MD & CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, is in the People’s Republic of China to boost collaboration with leading firms in solar and battery storage technology. The mission aims to support Dubai’s clean energy ambitions under its 2050 strategies by examining advanced practices in renewable energy systems. DEWA Seeks Deeper Energy Ties With Chinese Firms, as the delegation intends, marks a pivotal move in cross-border energy engagement.
Al Tayer and his team engaged with Huawei, BYD, Tesla’s battery energy storage plant, Sungrow, and the CRRC Zhuzhou Institute to survey cutting-edge developments in photovoltaic panels, energy storage solutions, artificial intelligence applications, smart infrastructure, and Fourth Industrial Revolution advancements. These interactions reinforce DEWA’s commitment to integrating global expertise into its operations.
The delegation includes prominent executives such as Waleed bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence; Hussain Lootah, Executive Vice President of Transmission Power; Marwan bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future; Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources; Mohammed Jamea, Vice President of Clean Energy and Diversification; and Ghanim Al Qassim, Senior Manager of Solar Energy. Their breadth of expertise equips DEWA to absorb and apply technological insights strategically.
Central to the discussions is the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, currently at the tendering stage. This phase will incorporate 2,000 MW of photovoltaic solar capacity alongside 1,400 MW of battery energy storage, delivering six hours of storage—establishing it among the largest solar-plus-storage projects globally under the independent power producer model. The delegation’s visit underscores this project’s importance in shaping Dubai’s sustainable energy future.
Saudi authorities have tested drone delivery of postal parcels in Jeddah, a pivotal move in modernising logistics and postal services. The General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Transport General Authority, backed by Dr Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Acting President of TGA, led the operation on Thursday, 4 September 2025. Saudi Drone Parcel Trial Signals Smarter Logistics encapsulates this milestone in eight purposeful words.
The trial, overseen by GACA and TGA, was executed under updated aviation safety regulations aligning with international standards such as those of ICAO and EASA, ensuring rigorous oversight of drone operations. GACA managed aviation-related protocols while TGA handled regulatory and legislative support for the postal sector.
Dr Al-Rumaih described the drone operation as a breakthrough that will “open new horizons” for expanding delivery services and fostering innovative logistics solutions in line with national digital transformation goals. Meanwhile, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, Captain Suleiman Al-Muheimidi, said the trial heralds faster, greener, and more advanced delivery methods.
This initiative forms part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to boost transport efficiency, shorten delivery times, and integrate technology into everyday life. Authorities emphasised that advanced drone deployment promises safer, quicker, and more sustainable parcel delivery across the country.
Samsung has introduced its newest Galaxy S25 FE handset and Tab S11 tablet series, underlining an ambition to deliver flagship-level features to a broader audience. The Galaxy S25 FE arrives at around $650, equipped with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Exynos 2400 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a 4,900 mAh battery—paired with Galaxy AI enhancements such as Instant Slow-Mo, Generative Edit, and Audio Eraser. The Tab S11 models—the 11-inch base and the 14.6-inch Ultra—feature One UI 8, Android 16, S Pen support, 120Hz AMOLED screens, MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chips, and AI-enabled enhancements including Samsung DeX’s new Extended Mode.
At the event held alongside IFA 2025, Jay Kim, one of Samsung’s corporate executive vice-presidents, noted that Galaxy AI is now live on more than 200 million devices, and the company expects to double that by year’s end. The Galaxy S25 FE delivers the longest battery life yet for an FE phone and debuts with improved cooling via a larger vapour-chamber system, alongside a build featuring Armor Aluminium and Gorilla Glass Victus+, with IP68 dust and water resistance.
The Tab S11 Ultra matches the iPad Pro’s 5.1 mm thinness and brings Wi-Fi 7 support, anti-reflective coating, enhanced DeX features, and promising multitasking capabilities. Together, these devices reflect Samsung’s approach to combine premium hardware with smart, AI-powered functionality at competitive prices.
Samsung’s announcement suggests a deliberate strategy: expanding access to its AI ecosystem, offering extended software support—seven years of OS and security updates for the S25 FE—and positioning these devices ahead of major rival launches.
The Galaxy S25 FE is now available and begins around $650 in the US, while the Galaxy Tab S11 line starts from $799 for the base model and $1,199 for the Ultra.
Samsung’s timing—introducing value-oriented yet AI-driven phones and tablets just before its biggest mobile competitor’s next launch—signals a sharp push to attract consumers with strong hardware, intelligent software, and long-term support.
In Bangalore and beyond, industry observers note that the S25 FE’s offering of Galaxy AI tools, robust support lifespan, and competitive price point could challenge rivals in emerging markets. The Tab S11 series, with its stylus-enabled productivity enhancements and tablet-as-laptop flair, appears aimed at professionals and creatives seeking seamless workflows on Android.
Echoing its messaging, Samsung is enhancing its Galaxy ecosystem, aiming to envelop users in its AI capabilities—whether through smartphones or tablets—while ensuring that cutting-edge features are no longer confined to its flagship devices alone.
Apple shares rallied following a pivotal ruling from U. S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who allowed the technology giant to continue receiving payments—estimated at around $20 billion annually—for default search placement in Safari, while imposing targeted restrictions on exclusivity and data practices. The verdict, delivered on 2 September 2025, represents a significant reprieve for Apple amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny. The ruling bars Google from enforcing exclusive distribution […]
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 September 2025 – On September 3, ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA opened at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. BGY Fruits, China’s leading fruit retail chain, participated alongside its subsidiary Jin Chengtai, continuing its annual presence at the event. Through consistent participation, BGY Fruits showcases its strengths in supply chain integration and brand development to global partners and potential clients—further advancing its strategy […]
Conor McGregor has announced his intention to run for President of Ireland in the upcoming election, marking a dramatic shift from mixed martial arts to the political arena. The election is scheduled for 24 October 2025. The victory is deeply improbable, given Ireland’s strict constitutional requirements for candidacy and growing scepticism from political observers. McGregor’s campaign relies heavily on public support rather than political endorsements. On 4 […]
Matein Khalid Gold’s 38% surge in 2025 to as high as 3570 an ounce in the New York spot market is not just about central bank anti-dollar reserve accumulation, expectations of a Fed rate cut at the September FOMC or inflation/deficit angst but also a very rational response to President Trump’s repeated assaults on the political independence of the Federal Reserve, which raises the likelihood of deliberate […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2025 – Hong Kong joined nationwide activities to mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. September 3 is designated as Victory Day in China, marking the end of the longest-running campaign in the war against fascism (1931-1945). John Lee, Chief Executive the Hong […]
Paramount Skydance has sealed an agreement with Activision Blizzard to develop, produce and distribute a live‑action film based on the blockbuster Call of Duty video game franchise. That deal places the studio squarely behind one of the most lucrative and enduring gaming series, with both companies underscoring their determination to preserve its signature narrative intensity and visual style. Under the arrangement, Paramount will lead all aspects of filmmaking—from scripting […]
Arabian Post Staff DP World has agreed to manage the logistics operations for Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, overseeing daily on‑demand delivery of perishables, dry goods and speciality items across nearly 7,000 pallets, supported by temperature‑controlled storage, inventory management and real‑time tracking systems. The transaction positions DP World to address the complexity of luxury‑hotel supply chains, enabling the resorts to uphold high service standards as they serve thousands of […]
Nigeria has secured a production-sharing contract with TotalEnergies and South Atlantic Petroleum for two deepwater offshore blocks, under a novel legal structure designed to prioritise gas development alongside oil. The agreement spans units PPL 2000 and PPL 2001—a territory of some 2,000 square kilometres in the Niger Delta Basin—and marks Nigeria’s first PSC under its transformative Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. The PIA, enacted in 2021, acknowledges the differing […]
Dubai Chambers, together with the International Chamber of Commerce and its World Chambers Federation, introduced a new digital platform designed to elevate the performance of chambers of commerce worldwide. Unveiled at the 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne, the Chamber Benchmarking Tool offers structured data analysis, best-practice comparisons and a repository of global insights to help chambers advance operational standards.
The launch was witnessed by over 1,200 chamber officials representing more than 100 countries, reaffirming the tool’s role as a global platform for strategic exchange.
The Chamber Benchmarking Tool evaluates performance across seven principal functions of chamber institutions—spanning economic research and business intelligence, advocacy and policy representation, trade and investment facilitation, workforce training and support, networking, advisory services and legal or dispute resolution. These are assessed alongside eight dimensions of operational excellence, including strategic alignment, innovation, governance and financial impact.
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, described the initiative as emblematic of the emirate’s ambition to lead in institutional innovation, enabling chambers to elevate their value to business communities through streamlined services and resilient strategies. John W. H. Denton AO, Secretary‑General of the ICC, hailed the tool as a “milestone,” praising Dubai Chambers for their leadership in bringing the platform to fruition.
Built from research examining 19 diverse chambers, the tool rests on a foundation of empirical insight. It offers a data-driven framework of self-assessment, enabling chambers to compare their metrics against anonymised regional and global averages and receive tailored strategic guidance drawn from global case studies.
Developed in confidence under ICC‑WCF’s secure, cloud‑based infrastructure, the platform ensures high standards of data confidentiality. Only aggregated benchmarking results are shared publicly, with each chamber’s data kept private unless explicit consent is granted.
The tool assigns two access roles: the ‘chamber steward’, who leads data submission, assessment completion and case‑study creation; and ‘chamber staff’, who receive view‑only access to performance dashboards, insights and the best‑practice library.
Participation remains voluntary and open to all types of chambers—whether national, regional, thematic or international—particularly those connected to the ICC‑WCF network. Non‑members may apply for membership to gain access.
Chambers that perform well in given categories become eligible to develop case studies, using an integrated creator to document initiative details, global trends addressed, outcomes and lessons learned. Authors may enrich submissions with supporting documents, media, and contact details. Approved case studies are added to the global repository, fostering peer learning and strategic inspiration.
With an emphasis on continuous improvement, the platform allows chambers to refresh their assessments annually—or after major organisational shifts—and to update roles and responsibilities over time, ensuring the tool remains current with evolving strategic priorities.
Beyond benchmarking, the platform is a strategic intelligence system. Chambers gain access to emerging trends, visibility into gaps and growth opportunities, and direction for innovation and future readiness. It fosters cross‑border collaboration, data‑led decision‑making and collective excellence across the global chamber ecosystem.
By Nitya Chakraborty After successfully passing the test of strategic autonomy for India at the just concluded summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Tianjin in China on August 31 and September 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces another test on Monday September 8 at the virtual meeting of the BRICS nations convened by […] 
